Visas - Frequently Asked Questions

Websites you will find invaluable!

www.ukvisas.gov.uk - The Government visa services website
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk - The UK Borders Agency website (detailed information on all visas available)
www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk - A general introduction and overview to UK visas

All the below information can be found on www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk and will be invaluable to you when making your visa application!

Who needs to apply for a visa?

You will not need to apply under the Points Based System if you fall into any one of the following categories:

  • If you are a Commonwealth citizen and one of your grandparents was born in the UK, you may be able to enter or stay under this condition.
  • If you are an EEA (European Economic Area) or Swiss National
  • If you have a partner or if you have a parent (you must be under 18) in the UK you may apply as a dependent.
  • If you are a British overseas territory citizen.
  • You have no conditions or time limit on your stay.

There are, however, Terms and Conditions to this and you will need to check these on the UK Border Agency website if you believe you are exempt from having a visa.

EEA countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland (Eire), Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

How can I apply?

First we recommend using the Points Based Calculator to see whether you have enough points to make a successful application. It will allow you to understand how you can score points and what documentary evidence you will need. If you qualify you can apply by post, in person and online. Some visa sections will only accept applications made online. To find out if you can apply for your visa online please visit www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk. If you cannot apply online you will need to fill in a visa application form. You can get a form, free of charge from your Visa Application Centre or by visiting www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/vafs. Visit www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/wheretoapply to find where your Visa Application Centre is located.

You will also need to complete Appendix 7 using the points scoring information obtained from the Self-Assessment Points Calculator. This is only available as a PDF document and must be completed manually and sent in with your supporting documents.

What will my visa cost?

Costs vary depending on the visa you apply for. It is crucial you make sure you are applying for the right visa, as if you are unsuccessful (i.e. you do not meet the requirements) your fee will not be refunded. Please do use the Points Based Calculator accurately.

For a Tier 1 (General) visa it should cost £675, if you are applying outside of the UK. (Do bear in mind this can lead to permanent residency, and can be extended for 2 years after the initial 3 if you still want to stay).

For a Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa it should cost £125. (This can only be used once in a lifetime).

You may want to use this Currency Calculator.

Once again the UK Border Agency website provides full details.

What do I need for my application?

This needs to be checked very thoroughly, as if you do not send all the documents necessary your application may be refused on the grounds of insufficient evidence, and you will not get back your fee! Please do check online, this is merely a guidance. The UK Borders Agency website goes into great detail to assure you process the best possible application.

For BOTH Tier 1 and Tier 5:

  • 2 recent passport photos (please see the website for details of what qualifies)
  • Passport/Travel document
  • Application form (VAF9) and Appendix 7 (as given from the Self Assessment, Points Based Calculator). You must complete all sections that are marked as mandatory.
  • The fee (in local currency)
  • Your biometric details. (This is a digital scan of all 10 fingers and a full face digital photograph. This must be done in person. These need to be collected at your nearest Visa Application Centre. Your application will not be processed until this is complete).
  • Maintenance funds. Tier 1 you must have had £2800+ of cash funds available for the 3 months prior to your application. Tier 5 you must have had no less than £1600 of cash funds available for 1 month prior to your application.

Evidence required for Tier 1 only (in addition to the above):

  • Proof of Qualifications
  • Previous Earnings (this must be corroborated by more than one source)
  • UK experience (if you are claiming points for this)
  • English language
  • Maternity or adoption-related absence (if relevant)

On what will my application be judged?

For Tier 1 your visa application will be judged on criteria like:

  • whether you can support yourself financially
  • your prospective employer
  • your home nation
  • your age
  • your area of work
  • your educational background
  • whether you intend to work here temporarily or permanently
  • whether you have a criminal record
  • if you have dependents (you can bring partners and dependents, but will need to apply for visas for them along with your own for you to be considered together)

For Tier 5 your visa application will be judged on:

  • your age
  • your nationality
  • your ability to support yourself financially
  • whether you have a criminal record

What are the restrictions?

For both Tier 1 (General) and Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visas you need to have the required amount of maintenance (funds - refer to ‘What do I need for my application?’). You will also need to have the correct amount of points to qualify for the visas. These details are below.

For Tier 1 the main restrictions are that you need a Masters Degree or higher and you must be earning above £20,000.

For a Tier 5 visa you must not have had a Working Holiday visa before and you cannot bring any dependents. As previously explained you will need to be a national of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan. You will be able to undertake any work you like except: self-employment (subject to terms and conditions, see website or enquire for more details), being a professional sportsperson (including coaching) or working as a doctor in training. You are allowed to engage in privately funded studies, voluntary work and au pair placements. You must not need to use public funds at any point during your stay. Please see below for details on using medical treatment when you are in the UK.

How does the point system work? / How many points do I need?

Use the Points Based Calculator to establish if you are eligible. For different categories you can earn a varying amount of points. Below is a list of what points you need to be eligible for a visa and how these can be gained.

For Tier 1 you must score:

  • 75 points for your attributes (age, qualifications, previous earnings, and experience in the United Kingdom)
  • 10 points for English language - essential
  • 10 points for available maintenance (funds of £2800+) - essential

If you do not score a minimum of 75 points for your attributes and 10 points for English language and 10 points for available maintenance (funds), your application will be refused.

For Tier 5 you must score a minimum of 50 points:

  • 30 points for nationality (Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand) - essential
  • 10 points for age (18-30) - essential
  • 10 points for maintenance (funds) - essential

Where is my Visa Application Centre?

Visit www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/embassies-and-posts/find-an-embassy-overseas/ to find where your Visa Application Centre is located.

Quick Reference: Australia - Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney. Canada - Calgary, Halifax/Dartmouth, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, St John’s, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg. Japan - Osaka, Tokyo. New Zealand - Auckland, Christchurch, Raratonga (Cook Islands), Wellington.

What is the minimum requirement for proficiency of English Language?

This is only required for the Tier 1 (General) visa. You must score 10 points. This can be done by being in any of the below categories:

  • A national of a majority English speaking country
  • Pass an English language test, approved by the UK Borders Agency (to see a full list please click here)
  • Hold a degree assessed by UK NARIC (UK National Agency) as being taught in English and is the same as a bachelor’s degree or above (you will be able to test this on the Points Based Calculator).

Here are the countries you need to be a national of in order to qualify under that category: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States of America.

NOTE: You will not need to score any points for proficiency of the English Language if you are applying for a Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa.

What if I want to come with a partner/dependents? (for children see question below)

If you have successfully been accepted for Tier 1, you are allowed to apply for dependents (including husband/wife, civil partner, fiancé, unmarried partner, or same-sex partner) to come with you. They do have to be given permission to stay (this is referred to as ‘leave to remain’). You will need to apply using the dependent application form. You may send this at the same time as your application, and make it clear that you wish for the applications to be considered together. If you already have your visa, then please fill in your visa details clearly in the stated box of the dependent application form, so it is considered that you have already been accepted. Please see the ‘Immigration Rules’, on the UK Border Agency website for the requirements your partner will need to meet and the conditions they will have to comply to once they are in the country.

For Tier 5 you cannot have a partner or spouse come with you on the same visa. They would need to obtain their own visa, whether this was a Tier 5 Youth Mobility visa or something else.

What if I have children?

For Tier 1 (general) you may apply to bring your children with you. You must be able to prove you are financially able to support them without public funds from the UK government. You must fill out a dependent application form for each child you wish to bring. Please send these with your main application for them to be considered together. If you already have your visa you will need to specify clearly on the form that you wish them to be considered under your visa. Please see the ‘Immigration Rules’, on the UK Border Agency website for the requirements your partner will need to meet and the conditions they will have to comply to once they are in the country. E.g. you must be over 21 to qualify.

For Tier 5 you will not be eligible for the visa if you have any children under the age of 18, who are either living with you or who you are paying maintenance for.

What other visas are there?

There are a variety of categories you can apply to for a visa. The best thing to do is go onto www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs and browse through the information guides. Do take your time and really make sure you apply for the visa right for you. Tier 1 (General) and Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) are the most common visas for our workers, which is why we have concentrated on these.

What do the visa changes mean if I am already in the UK?

Essentially nothing as you are already here and the visa you obtained still stands. You are allowed to continue as you are, until your visa expires. The only time the visa changes will affect you is when you apply to extend your visa. Unless you gain a successful extension you will need to leave the country on the date given with your original visa. (See below)

Can I extend my visa?

You may apply to extend your stay under Tier 1 (General) Highly Skilled Worker category if:

  • You are already in the UK on this visa and wish to stay longer
  • You have been in the UK on the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (previous visa category) and are eligible for the Highly Skilled Worker Category (under the Points Based System)

Once you have completed the first 3 year period you can extend it for another 2 years. If you have completed this then you are eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Eventually you could find you are able to apply for full UK citizenship!

You may not apply to extend your stay if you have a Workers Holiday Visa or Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme visa and you may not apply to switch to another category visa. You must leave the country on the date that has been given to you. Once you have left the country then you may be able to apply for a different type of visa to return.

Can I appeal a rejection?

If you are applying from outside the UK you may apply for an Administrative Review. This is free of charge and must be requested no more than 28 days after the date of refusal. If you have been refused, you will be sent a form to enable you to request an Administrative Review. The address you need to send it to will be supplied with this form. Please fill it out fully. You should not send any additional documents, and you can only do this once for each application.

If you are applying from inside the UK you can not apply for an Administrative Review. Under these conditions you may only appeal if you have a statutory right of appeal. Your rights will vary, depending on what application you made. If you have been refused an extension to stay, and have a right to appeal the decision, you will be provided information on your rights and how to appeal when they send you your refusal.

What if I am in the UK already and want to apply for a visa?

If you are already in the UK and want to apply for a visa you need to have obtained your new visa before your old one runs out. It is recommended you leave at least a month.

Can I get medical treatment when I am in the UK?

If you are working you can receive medical treatment. If you are not you will have to pay for NHS (National Health Service) treatment for your first 12 months, after this you will not be required to pay.

How do I get an National Insurance (NI) number?

Once you are in the country you will need to apply for a National Insurance number. You will need to call the NI hotline on 0845 6000 643. The information you will be asked to provide is: your full name, your address (UK), Date of Birth, Date of Entry to the UK, and your visa details. After this they will then decide whether to send you a form or if they want to interview you in person. Once this is completed you will then be issued with a NI number.

What if I can’t find an answer to my question?

If you have explored our FAQ’s as well as the recommended websites and still have questions, please do not hesitate to call us on 01962 600134 or use the general enquiries form to email us. We will do our very best to answer any queries you may have and help you get on the right track to applying for your visa. If there are any common questions you think we have missed please email us (use the general enquiry form), we will answer your enquiry and possibly post the question on our website to help others. Suggestions are always welcome!